Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

Bovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland. In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in bovine TB levels nationally, with over 6,000 farm families affected by a bovine TB outbreak in 2024, and herd incidence at 6.04%. The primary driver of the cost of the bovine TB programme is disease levels. In 2024, the bovine TB programme cost €100m, which was an increase of 35% on 2023. For this year up to 30 September, just under €80 million has been spent on the TB programme.

I secured an increased allocation of €85 million for bovine TB in budget 2026, providing a total budget of €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing the disease and I am confident that it will help to drive down bovine TB levels in the coming years. I published and got agreement on the bovine TB action plan, addressing bovine TB in Ireland, on 9 September. I do not believe I would have secured the extra €85 million for a business case that proposed business as usual. I had to take a new approach. This is the biggest step change in the history of the State in how we address bovine TB. The action plan follows extensive discussions with stakeholders in recent months. It is based on scientific research and veterinary expertise.

My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a bovine TB outbreak on the farm. The primary support scheme is the on-farm market valuation scheme, and this is augmented by the income supplement scheme, the depopulation grant scheme and the hardship grant scheme. The new plan looks to direct investment to the key drivers of the disease and to stop its spread. Compensation is absolutely critical so that farmers can continue with their livelihoods, but I must direct the new money to reducing or stamping out this disease. We will see a spike in the first two years and a downward trend thereafter. That will allow me to free up money in the budget for other areas.

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